National Republican., 1887-04-04
eILDED FINGER NAILS.
A Psrisian Idea That Bs. Taken Root
In Now York. .
New York Herald.l

New York Herald.l
There was a yellowish glow, like that of
gold dollars, from the tips Of her fingers az
she drew of her gloves. She was an
actress who was ND 10 all the latest freaks.
"Pretty, are they notW said she In an
aver to the reporters curious glance. "It's
the latest Paris idea-gilded finger nails"
"Do you mean seriously that you wear
that stuff on your nails all the umei"
"Why, certainly. Don't tell you It's
the fashion. Pretty soon II will be the
craze. Lots Of ladies have been gildcd
already, and It's only few weeks since the
fashion was introduced"
"And pray, who is responsible for this
nonsense fr
"a French manicure, who came over
awhile ago TO introduce the art. He was q
sharp fellow, and knew his business. He
| gilded an actress first without charge,
knowing how well she would advertise him.
Sure enough she did. There are hundreds
Of society ladies who will copy anything
they see an actress do, no matter how out
lsndish It is. II did not take them long to
find out what Il was on her finger nor
where the professors shop was. They went
there In droves. In a short time he had
more customers than he could attend TO
and hired an assistant. he is doing rush.
ing trade, and turning his idea into gold for
himself while he gilds the ladies. For IL ia
not cheap adornment. understand"
"How much does he charger
"A dollar a nail, So for one hand, and IS
for both"
"Does II last long ~
"As long as the nall does-that 10, until
II grows out. They should be touched up
every month. He only charges 81 for that. =
"And doesn't the gilt wash offw
"No, indeed, you can't get 1t off--wasf
and scrub as much as you have q mind to
It's put on to stay"
"Does 1t hurt you TO have It put ON :"
"Only bother; there is no pain about It
II takes lots OF flushing and preparation and
two or three hours of tedious sitting to havs
than that to be In the fashion, you know.
find the gliding awfully convenient In on,
respect"
''Your finger nails require less attention
then. II they are dirty 1t does not show
and when they are long they get dirty 81
easily, you know"
The reporter went up to see "the pro
fessor" In his little shop In an up-towI
cross street. A sign over the door reat
"Ladies Gilded."
The professor was dapper little maj
with very white hands and an easy running
tongue. The establishment consisted Of
; small room with q lot Of chairs In It, and a
the further end an operating table with
number Of fixtures and trappings on 1t II
the way Of brushes, knives, files, bottles
and sponges. The furniture was to certain
extent elegant, and there was an air o.
luxury to the place.
~ don't want to tell you the secret Of my
: art" said the professor; "that would b,
very foolish Of me. Suffice It TO say that
: first wash and scrub the nails very carefully
Then, with the means Of certain solution
prepare them for gliding. There lies tn,
secret. However, do nothing that is II
the least injurious to the nail, so that wheI
they grow out again they will be In thei
normal condition IL the party chooses"
"Where did you learn the art 2'
10, 1t is becoming quite common II
Paris. AS civilization advances so do ex
aggerated ideas Of personal adornment.
presume blackened teeth will be fashions
, bic next"
"Do you think the gliding business vii
l take In this countryff
T, ''It has already. They are little bashfu
q aboutit yet, but that's only question @
!, time. At present most Of the ladies hav
Q only nerve enough to have the little fnge
8 nails decorated, but they will get over tbs
soon enough. Ono even wanted her toe nail
gilded the other day."